Depression in Pregnancy Research Study
Women’s College Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health are conducting a research study investigating a non-drug alternative for depression in pregnancy.
Fast Facts
Ages 18+
Less Than 32 Weeks (8 Months) Pregnant
Experiencing Depression
Receive Tokens of Appreciation
Conducted in Toronto and Ontario, Canada
Study Background
Women’s College Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health are conducting a research study investigating a non-drug alternative, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), for treating depression in pregnancy.
Depression in pregnancy is common – it affects about 1 in 10 pregnant people. Current options for treating depression are not ideal for everyone:
- Talk therapy – Can take weeks to months to improve symptoms or might not work on its own
- Medication – Can work quickly, but people do not always wish to take them in pregnancy
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-drug treatment for depression.
- It is a small and easy-to-use device that patients can self-apply at home
- Over 3 weeks of treatment, it has been shown to improve depression symptoms in a lasting way
- In this research study:
- You will be able to self-apply the treatment at-home, and a research staff member will be with you over secure video-visit during each treatment.
- You will receive follow-up for the rest of your pregnancy and until 1 year postpartum.
- Tokens of appreciation are given for completing research surveys (up to $190 total in the form of gift cards)
Study Background
Women’s College Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health are conducting a research study investigating a non-drug alternative, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), for treating depression in pregnancy.
Depression in pregnancy is common – it affects about 1 in 10 pregnant people. Current options for treating depression are not ideal for everyone:
- Talk therapy – Can take weeks to months to improve symptoms or might not work on its own
- Medication – Can work quickly, but people do not always wish to take them in pregnancy
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-drug treatment for depression.
- It is a small and easy-to-use device that patients can self-apply at home
- Over 3 weeks of treatment, it has been shown to improve depression symptoms in a lasting way
- In this research study:
- You will be able to self-apply the treatment at-home, and a research staff member will be with you over secure video-visit during each treatment.
- You will receive follow-up for the rest of your pregnancy and until 1 year postpartum.
- Tokens of appreciation are given for completing research surveys (up to $190 total)
Additional Information
The purpose of this research study is to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can treat depression in pregnancy.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18+ years of age
- Less than 32 weeks pregnant
- Have symptoms of depression that are moderate in severity
- Do not wish to take antidepressant medication to treat the depression symptoms
Once enrolled, this study involves:
- One eligibility and baseline assessment over the phone and online
- One in person visit to complete the first treatment session at either Women College Hospital or Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- 30-minute monitoring sessions during the intervention (5 days per week for 3 weeks, patient is at home, these are done by video)
- Three In-treatment research assessments: Phone and online assessments at the end of each of weeks 1, 2, and 3 of treatment
- Online assessment plus one telephone administered symptom scale every 4 weeks for the rest of pregnancy and at 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks postpartum
Participants may recieve up to $190 in the form of gift cards as a token of appreciation.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.